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Their destruction will mean the loss of 234 one-bedroom flats and tenants will have to be farmed out to new homes.

An insider at owners South Ayrshire Council said: “The price is too high and unless there is a money miracle, they will come down.

“Officials have been taken aback at how much money they need. To save them would be financially ridiculous.”

Ironically the council has already sanctioned £1 million worth of initial work which has already begun.

Housing staff say that to build a brand new flat either on the same riverside site or elsewhere in the area is just £140,000.

Each of the blocks has 78 homes and 12 have been deliberately left empty as the scale of repair emerged.

One-to-one consultation is to take place with the tenants - most of whom are elderly - over the next six months.

Councillors heard about the state of the “essential and advisable” works at a meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

These include the removal of the external cladding, existing timber and aluminium windows, and pitched roof covering; new insulated render system; full rewiring; new heating and hot water systems; upgrading the sprinkler system; and upgrading passenger lifts.

One long-time tenant told the Post: “If it is going to cost about £150,000 to build a new flat for me to rent, I have a money saving plan.

“Give me £75,000 and I’ll buy my own we place in Ayr. Job done.”

If repairs were sanctioned tenants would need to be decanted for a year.

Housing boss Donald Gillies said: “As we consider what happens next with the high flats in Ayr, our tenants will continue to be our focus at all times. That’s why we’re asking councillors to approve a formal consultation where we can sit down on an individual basis with each and every one of our tenants in Riverside Place and discuss their specific needs and preferences.

“If Councillors agree, we’re also seeking approval to appoint two dedicated officers to lead on the consultation and engagement exercise, which would get underway in the new year with a further report to Councillors in June.

“It would only be then that any decision on the future of the flats would be taken and tenants would be involved in discussions every step of the way.”